PACKAGING BRIEFS Monday, Dec. 3

Mold-Rite Plastics acquires Stull Technologies, Weatherchem Corp.

Mold-Rite Plastics, Plattsburgh, NY, a manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging products owned by private equity firm Irving Place Capital, has acquired Weatherchem Corp., an Ohio-based maker of plastic dispensing closures.  The announcement comes shortly after Mold-Rite acquired Stull Technologies, a New Jersey-based manufacturer of dispensing closures, caps, lids and packaging components. Mold-Rite Plastics will retain the Weatherchem name to leverage the company's substantial brand equity as they have done with Stull Technologies

Amcor wins Johnson & Johnson Sustainability Award for rigid and flexible packaging

Amcor Ltd. has been awarded a 2012 Supplier Sustainability Award from Johnson & Johnson (J&J), a leading multi-national manufacturer of pharmaceutical, diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical and biotechnology products. Amcor Rigid Plastics, the world's leading producer of rigid plastic containers, and Amcor Flexibles, the world's largest supplier of flexible packaging, were jointly recognized for their overall sustainability efforts and targeted activities as a leading supplier to J&J. Amcor was one of seven award winners in the worldwide competition held by J&J, which has a global supply base of more than 100,000 companies. J&J made the award presentation during its global procurement meeting on Oct. 23 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick, N.J.

Graphic Packaging to acquire A&R Carton's beer and beverage packaging business
Graphic Packaging Holding Co., Marietta, GA, announced an agreement for one of its subsidiaries to acquire A&R Carton's Beer and Beverage packaging business in Europe. Under the terms of the transaction, Graphic Packaging will pay approximately €19 million in cash and assume approximately €7 million in other net liabilities. The A&R Beer and Beverage packaging business includes two folding carton manufacturing facilities that convert approximately 30,000 tons of paperboard annually. The acquisition is expected to close in late December. Combined with last week's announced acquisition of Contego Cartons, the A&R acquisition gives Graphic Packaging a significant position in the European folding carton market and widens the company's global footprint.

Exopack hires Tammy Gianfortune as chief marketing officer

Tammy Gianfortune joined Exopack this summer as chief marketing officer. Previous to joining Exopack, she was the vp and general manager for The Kellogg Co.'s Club, Drug, Dollar and Discount Business Unit. As a key member of Exopack's executive leadership team, Gianfortune will have primary responsibility for driving Exopack's profitable growth through the development and execution of marketing strategies that deliver distinctive value to customers. Exopack develops, manufactures and sources flexible packaging and coatings solutions for various consumer and industrial end-use markets

M. Jack Sanders named CEO of Sonoco
Sonoco has named M. Jack Sanders president/CEO of the company, effective April 1, 2013, when Harris DeLoach Jr. retires as an active employee after more than 27 years with Sonoco. DeLoach will remain executive chairman of the board after his retirement. Sanders was also elected to Sonoco's board of directors, effective immediately, increasing the board to 13 members. Sanders, 59, is currently president/COO and has global leadership, sales and operating responsibility for all of the company's diversified packaging businesses.

DSM's sustainable supply chain management recognized
Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, has been awarded the Sustainable Supply Chain Award 2012 for its responsible way of managing its supply chain. The Sustainable Supply Chain Award 2012 was presented to DSM on 27 November in Amstelveen, after DSM was ranked in first place in the Responsible Supply Chain Benchmark 2012 survey carried out by VBDO. This is the fourth award this month that recognizes DSM's sustainability efforts, its transparency and its leadership. The prize was awarded by the VBDO, the Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development. Earlier this month, DSM won three prestigious awards for its integrated and transparent reporting (De Kristal 2012, FD Henri Sijthoff award and Prix-de-Mazars).

Website showcases great packaging designs and tips
The Label and Packaging Materials division of Avery Dennison Corp. has launched a global Designer Showcase that features insights, examples and personal stories about packaging and design from some of the world's leading designers and design school students. Jon Maley, global vp of marketing, Label and Packaging Materials, says, "The new site reflects Avery Dennison's belief that designers and design firms deeply influence the way consumers think about and experience brands. With the Designer Showcase, we can increasingly leverage designer creativity with our own sophisticated technical expertise to bring great packaging designs to market."

Dart Container to invest $47 million, create 325 jobs in Michigan
The Michigan Strategic Fund has approved a $3 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant for the expansion of Dart Container Corp.'s operations in Mason. The expansion will generate up to $47 million in new private investment and add a projected 325 new jobs. In May 2012, Dart acquired Illinois-based Solo Cup Co. and now has approximately 15,000 employees and more than 45 production, distribution center and office locations in eight countries. Dart plans to build a new corporate headquarters building and warehouse facility as well as expand existing buildings on its Alaiedon Township campus to integrate Solo Cup corporate and administrative operations into Dart's location in Michigan.

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